Tides Bar & Eatery

About Tides Bar & Eatery

Tides Bar & Eatery sits along the gentle curve of the Maitai River, just moments from Nelson's city centre, as part of the family-owned Tides Hotel. The Munro family has run the hotel since 1993, transforming the former Trailways Hotel into a vibrant, design-led riverside retreat now three generations deep in hospitality, with Toby Munro leading the current chapter.

The eatery describes itself as an exceptional riverfront dining experience, suited to a romantic dinner for two, a family occasion, a wedding anniversary or business entertaining. The enjoyment starts in the stylish Tides Bar, with a local wine or beer and views over the Maitai River from the balcony.

The dinner menu ranges from share-friendly small plates and platters through to substantial large plates and a two-person sharing roast, alongside a dedicated dessert menu, breakfast service and a children's menu.

Tides Bar & Eatery: Riverside Fine Dining in Nelson

Tides Bar & Eatery sits along the gentle curve of the Maitai River, just moments from Nelson's city centre, forming the dining heart of the family-owned Tides Hotel. Family-owned and proudly local since 1993, the Munro family transformed the former Trailways Hotel into a vibrant, design-led retreat that celebrates Nelson's creative soul, and the hotel is now three generations deep in hospitality under the continuing leadership of Garry Munro, Alexa Wilson and Toby Munro.

A riverside setting

The experience begins in the stylish Tides Bar, where guests can settle in with a local wine or beer while taking in views over the Maitai River from the balcony. Tides is positioned as suited to a romantic dinner for two, a family occasion, a wedding anniversary, or business entertaining, all set against a backdrop of funky local art, colourful patterns and contemporary furnishings that run throughout the property.

A menu built around sharing and substance

The dinner menu opens with individual and side plates — bruschetta, garlic bread, kumara fries and a pear and rocket salad — before moving into small plates like salt and pepper squid, a seafood and bacon chowder, and the Tides Classic Prawn & Shrimp Cocktail. Medium plates and platters include a roast vegetable salad, chicken cobb salad, and a local cheese selection with the day's cheese choices.

Large plates cover the more substantial end of the menu: a 220g grilled ribeye, grilled NZ lamb rump, pan fried market fish, and a house-made pumpkin and ricotta gnocchi for a vegetarian option. For two people to share, there's a slow-cooked roast lamb shoulder with crispy smashed potatoes and real gravy.

Dessert and dietary options

Dessert options range from a tiramisu and blueberry crumble baked cheesecake to the Tides Spiced Pear Tarte Tatin and a white chocolate and raspberry crème brûlée. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are marked throughout the menu, and several dishes are available gluten-free or dairy-free on request, alongside dedicated vegetarian choices.

Beyond dinner

Tides also serves breakfast from 6.45am to 11am and an all-day menu from 11am to 5pm, running into dinner service from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. A daily happy hour runs from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, and a children's menu is available for younger guests. The eatery is open every day of the week, closed only on Christmas Day.

Groups and bookings

Tables for up to 12 people can be booked online, with larger functions arranged by contacting the hotel directly. Parties of nine or more are asked to provide a credit card, and cancellations within 24 hours of the booking time incur a $250 cancellation fee. A surcharge may apply on public holidays.

Visiting Tides Bar & Eatery

Tides Bar & Eatery is located at 66 Trafalgar Street, The Wood, Nelson, and can be reached by phone or email for bookings and enquiries.

Signature items

• Tides Classic Prawn & Shrimp Cocktail
• Grilled NZ Lamb Rump
• 220g Grilled Ribeye
• Roast Lamb Shoulder
• Beetroot Cured South Island Salmon
• Tides Spiced Pear Tarte Tatin

Menu

Platters

• Local Cheese Selection — Today's cheese selection with spiced fruit paste, honeycomb, assorted crackers and seasonal fresh fruit. Gluten free on request; chicken terrine or chicken liver pate can be added.

Side Plates

• Garlic Bread — Gluten-free option available on request.
• Fries — Served with garlic aioli, gluten-free option on request.
• Kumara Fries — Served with sweet chilli and sour cream, dairy-free option on request.
• Creamy Mashed Potato — With gravy. Gluten free.
• Roasted Broccoli — Brown butter, toasted almonds. Gluten free.
• Fresh Pear & Rocket Salad — Gorgonzola, candied walnuts, sherry dressing. Gluten free, vegetarian.
• Panko Crumbed Onion Rings — Served with aioli.
• Iceberg Wedge — Parmesan, ranch dressing. Gluten free.
• Rosemary & Parmesan Gratin — With aioli.

Large Plates

• Beer Battered Market Fish — Fries, coleslaw, house made tartare. Dairy free.
• Slow Braised Beef Short Rib — Potato croquette, pumpkin & maple puree, orange & chili gremolata, red wine jus. Gluten free.
• Pork Belly — Twice cooked five spiced pork, chilli caramel sauce, Asian apple & peanut slaw, steamed rice.
• Crumbed Chicken Kiev Supreme — Filled with garlic herb butter, creamy potato mash, wilted spinach, lemon.
• 220g Grilled Ribeye — Parmesan & rosemary potato gratin, seasonal greens, tobacco onions, red wine shallot butter, red wine jus.
• Grilled NZ Lamb Rump — Carrot puree, potato fondant, honey glazed carrots, date chutney, mint yoghurt, dukkah. Gluten free.
• Peppered Denver Leg Venison — Red wine braised cabbage, pears, currants, creamy parsnip puree, pinot syrup red wine jus. Gluten free.
• Canterbury Valley Duck Leg Confit — Sauté gourmet potatoes, fresh rocket salad, feta, orange fillets, crispy bacon, toasted hazelnuts, raspberry vinaigrette.
• Pan Fried Market Fish — Creamy cauliflower puree, sauce grenobloise, lemon, watercress. Gluten free.
• House Made Pumpkin & Ricotta Gnocchi — Brown butter sauce, spinach, toasted pine nuts, parmesan. Vegetarian.

Small Plates

• Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sliders — Three sliders with bacon jam, smoked cheese, rocket, ranch dressing. Gluten free.
• Salt & Pepper Squid — Aioli, grilled lemon.
• Chicken & Ginger Dumplings — Soy chilli coriander dipping sauce. Dairy free.
• Seafood & Bacon Chowder — Prawns, mussels, smoked and fresh fish, toasted ciabatta.
• Scallop and Prawn Tortellini — Lemon butter sauce.
• Beetroot Cured South Island Salmon — Horseradish cream, capers, watercress, crisp rye.
• Grilled Scallops — On pork belly, fire roasted peppers, yellow rock sugar & ginger dressing, watercress.
• Tides Classic Prawn & Shrimp Cocktail — Poached chilled prawns and shrimp, cocktail sauce, tomato kasundi, iceberg lettuce, sourdough croutons, lemon.
• Beef Cheek & Red Wine Croquettes — Two croquettes with chipotle mayo.
• Roasted Pumpkin & Hazelnut Falafel — Eggplant kasundi, yoghurt, pomegranate. Vegetarian.

Medium Plates

• Roast Vegetable Salad — Spiced cauliflower, honey roasted pumpkin, spinach, chickpeas, fresh dates, feta, beetroot hummus, toasted almonds, zesty lemon & herb dressing. Gluten free, vegetarian.
• Chicken Cobb Salad — Crispy fried chicken, shredded iceberg, soft boiled egg, garlic croutons, bacon, smoked cheese, cherry tomatoes, ranch dressing.

Dessert Plates

• Selection of Sorbets — Gluten free, dairy free.
• Ice Cream Sundae — Vanilla ice cream, tuille biscuit, choice of chocolate, berry or caramel sauce. Gluten free on request.
• Baileys Sundae — House made Baileys ice cream, toasted nuts, caramel sauce, caramelised banana, chocolate shards.
• Apple & Roasted Rhubarb Crumble — Vanilla bean anglaise, vanilla ice cream. Gluten free.
• Tiramisu — Coffee soaked sponge fingers, marsala mascarpone cream, chocolate sauce.
• Tides Spiced Pear Tarte Tatin — Crisp homemade pastry, spiced pear, caramel sauce, vanilla gelato.
• Blueberry Crumble Baked Cheesecake — Blueberry compote, fresh cream, white chocolate shards.
• White Chocolate & Raspberry Crème Brûlée — Raspberry compote, sugar snap tuille, vanilla gelato.

Individual Plates

• Bruschetta - Beetroot & Feta — Beetroot relish, whipped feta, balsamic reduction. Gluten free, vegetarian.
• Bruschetta - Sundried Tomato — Sundried tomato, olive tapenade, mozzarella.

Large Sharing Plates - Two People

• Roast Lamb Shoulder — Slow cooked in rosemary & garlic, crispy herb & garlic smashed potatoes, greens, mint jelly, real gravy. Gluten free.

Frequently asked questions

What are Tides Bar & Eatery's opening hours?

Breakfast 6:45am-11am, all day menu 11am-5pm, dinner 5:30pm-8:30pm, open every day. Closed Christmas Day.

Is there a happy hour?

Yes, daily from 1:30pm to 5:30pm.

Are there gluten-free and vegetarian options?

Yes, many dishes are marked gluten free or have a GF/DF option on request, and there are vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Is there a children's menu?

Yes, a dedicated children's menu is available.

Can I book for a large group?

Yes, online booking is available for up to 12 people; for larger functions, contact the venue directly. Parties of 9+ are asked for a credit card, and cancellations within 24 hours incur a $250 fee.

Does a surcharge apply on public holidays?

Yes, a surcharge may apply on public holidays.

Where is Tides Bar & Eatery located?

66 Trafalgar Street, The Wood, Nelson, on the Maitai River.

Tips

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• {"body":"Parties of 9+ need a credit card, and cancellations within 24 hours incur a $250 fee.","title":"Book ahead for groups"}
• {"body":"A house signature small plate.","title":"Try the Tides Classic Prawn & Shrimp Cocktail"}
• {"body":"Many dishes have a gluten-free or dairy-free option on request.","title":"Ask about dietary substitutions"}

Good to know

• {"family":"A dedicated children's menu is available.","dietary":"Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options marked throughout the menu, several available on request."}